Pubdate: Tue, 21 Jun 2005
Source: Peace Arch News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2005 Peace Arch News
Contact:  http://www.peacearchnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1333
Author: Robert Sharpe
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hr.htm (Harm Reduction)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?142 (Safe Injecting Rooms)
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05/n945/a10.html

IT COULD BE WORSE

Safe injection sites have been shown to reduce the spread of HIV 
without increasing drug use. They also serve as a bridge to drug 
treatment for an especially hard-to-reach population. Drug users are 
not the only beneficiaries. Look no further than the United States 
for tragic examples of anti-drug strategies which are best avoided. 
U.S. Centers for Disease Control researchers estimate 57 per cent of 
AIDS cases among women and 36 per cent of overall AIDS cases in the 
U.S. are linked to injection drug use or sex with partners who inject 
drugs. This easily preventable public health crisis is a direct 
result of zero-tolerance laws that restrict access to clean syringes. 
Can Canada afford to emulate the harm maximization approach of the 
former land of the free and current record holder in citizens incarcerated?

Robert Sharpe

Washington
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MAP posted-by: Beth